Share and Follow
The Real Housewives of Potomac has had some cast changes over the years that have altered the dynamic of the show. But in the middle of the fray, though accused of not having a storyline of her own, has always been Ashley Darby and her drama with her husband, Michael.
From rumors that Michael was gay to his cheating with another woman, and even accusations of him groping a crew member, Ashley has had to defend her husband from nearly the get-go. And if she was not defending Michael, Ashley was defending that she was not a gold digger from the OG Real Housewives, given their nearly three-decade age difference. Here is why fans are not surprised after RHOP’s Ashley Darby admits the postnup Michael signed is null and void.
What Happened With Ashley Darby And Her Husband Michael?
The couple’s marriage finally took all it could withstand in April 2022 and the two decided to separate, joining the ranks of Housewives who have watched their marriages end while on the show.
At that time, between the prenup as well as a postnup that the couple had signed, Ashley thought that she would be financially comfortable in the event that the marriage collapsed.
But as it turns out, not only will Ashley not receive a lump sum when the divorce is finalized, but she will also not be collecting alimony, per the prenup.
As for the postnup, it is a worthless piece of paper. The only monies coming the reality star’s way are child and spousal support, both of which have conditions about when they are paid. And, unfortunately, given Ashley’s decision to not hire an attorney, the fact that she got the fuzzy end of the lollipop in this matter is not surprising.
Why Did Michael And Ashley Have A Postnup Agreement?
When Ashley and Michael married, the two signed a prenup that was valid for five years. Once it expired, Ashley believed that she would be entitled to half of the couple’s assets were the couple to divorce. Thinking that would not happen, there was not another agreement signed after the prenup expired.
That is until Michael was caught in a situation where it was speculated he cheated. And because of this, a postnup was drafted.
It was initially unclear if Ashley would stay with Michael after he was all but caught red-handed cheating with a stripper in Las Vegas. But after a heart-to-heart conversation, Ashley decided she did not want the marriage to end. However, that meant she wanted some security for herself and her boys, Dean and Dylan, were Michael to ever cheat again.
“An idea that I did have and that I wanted to see how you felt about was doing a post-nuptial agreement,” Ashley explains to Michael during an episode of RHOP. “Something that would be protecting Dean and me in the event that this happens again.”
Eventually, Michael agreed to “look into” what a postnup would involve.
“I think it would be good for us to have a postnuptial agreement because [a] postnup would outline things that [I] would be guaranteed to get—no arguing, no disputing—and essentially would speed up the process in the event of a divorce,” Ashley said during a confessional.
However, the postnup was worded in such a manner that Michael came out on top with the money. And instead of Ashley getting the “50 percent of the assets” that she thought she was entitled to, she is getting very little, a move that will make for a huge lifestyle change for the mother-of-two.
Why Fans Are Not Surprised The Postnup Is Null And Void
In 2020, Ashley described why she had initially decided to have a postnup drafted. However, it is very possible that the document was never filed because Ashley put her trust back into the relationship with Michael, given that she was pregnant with the couple’s second child. And if this is the case, it is no wonder why Ashley was left with virtually nothing after her marriage dissolved.
Read Related Also: Anatomy of a Hoax’ unravels actor’s shocking downfall
“The postnuptial agreement honestly is not really necessary, considering the fact that our pre-nuptial agreement is now null and void,” Ashley explained.
“So really, it was just a piece of paper that ultimately — what would I have asked for? We have a shared interest in our family, he is a stellar dad, and our children are his first priority. So I don’t really have that fear anymore. The post-nuptial agreement really was just more so if I felt like we weren’t on the same page and we weren’t getting to a better place.”
The first red flag that fans saw showing something was amiss with the postnup was that not only was Michael going to purchase a house for Ashley, but he was also going to put it into an LLC. That made fans believe Ashley was privy to more than what she was letting on.
“I think he made a deal with her so he could have control,” one Reddit user stated. “I’m guessing he held her kids over her head and it’s making her comply.”
Another user was in complete agreement, saying, “I agree about them making a deal. I think she agreed to not chase him for alimony in order to get decent child support and a house he pays for and owns half of. I feel like she sold herself short and could have gotten much more if she was willing to be broke for a few years while they battled it out in court.”
“I’ve always said that Michael is playing chess and Ashley is playing checkers,” a third Reddit user explained. “Her moves would have worked if she had married some naive sports figure but she married an older, savvier man.”
While Ashley may have thought that her marriage was going to last forever after having conversations with Michael about his indiscretions, Michael clearly thought many moves ahead making sure that when and if a postnup was filed, he would not be on the hook for much at all.
Fans Believe At The End Of The Day, Ashley And Michael Darby May Not Even Get Divorced
Given the bad deal that Ashley was given and the fact that she ended a relationship with Summer House alum Luke Gulbranson, fans are wondering if the divorce will move forward and get finalized as scheduled.
This is especially true because Ashley is so “calm” about the very small settlement received when the marriage officially ends.
“She’s too calm and accepting of the situation,” one Reddit user stated. “Or she’s not going to divorce him anytime soon and he’ll continue to support her lifestyle.”
Another Reddit user explained, “I can see her being the “wife” until her kids are 18+. Then he doesn’t have to pay for a marriage dissolution. He won’t have child support. He can keep track of what she does. Do whatever he wants to do and if she sticks it out she’ll keep the home. Now she’s not dating. Michael just won’t let her go and she doesn’t have the self-worth to leave.”
Whether Ashley and Michael’s divorce finalizes will be known in the very near future. And until that time, all fans can do is wait with bated breath and speculate about what it is that truly happened with pre- and postnup discussions behind closed doors.
